The Maine Public Service Co. (MPS), a subsidiary of Maine & Maritime Corp., and Central Maine Power Co. (CMP) have announced plans to construct a 345 kV transmission line from central Maine to northern Aroostook County.

The Maine Power Connection (MPC), a joint project of MPS and CMP, will connect northern Maine to the CMP and New England electric grid to provide MPS customers with access to competitive electric power markets and to support the development of proposed wind generation projects in Aroostook County. Presently, MPS does not have a connection to the New England grid or adequate capacity to handle requests for transmission connections from wind developers.

"We plan to invest between $400 million and $500 million to build a 200-mile, 345 kV transmission line and related substations from the Detroit area to northern Aroostook County," says Brent Boyles, president and CEO of MPS. "The Maine Power Connection will enable the development of wind generation projects estimated at $1.6 billion, providing tremendous economic and environmental benefits to northern Maine and the entire region."

The companies plan to file the project this week with the Maine Public Utilities Commission.